Job Description

Position : Nutrition Officer (x 3)
Location : Multiple Locations – Beitbridge, Chiredzi, Bikita
Duration : 6 months
Position Summary:

The Nutrition Officer will lead district level implementation of anticipatory actions for nutrition during the El’Nino Induced Drought. The Nutrition Officer will be responsible for the planning and implementation of comprehensive packages for a nutrition in emergencies program in the assigned district in collaboration with the Nutrition Coordinator and MEAL Manager. The Nutrition Officer will provide technical expertise to support the integration of nutrition in emergencies programming including supporting Maternal Infant and Young Child Feeding in Emergencies (MIYCF-E) to foster the protection and support of safe and appropriate feeding for infants and young children, improved surveillance for wasting in operational areas and contribute to the overall success of the Project. The Nutrition Officer lead district level efforts in providing technical expertise in support of integrated management of malnutrition collaborating with government stakeholders. The position requires an individual with a strong understanding of nutrition and emergency linkages with experience of working in a rural community in emergency interventions. The ideal candidate must demonstrate strong facilitation, stakeholder engagement and negotiation skills mainstreaming principles of gender transformation and child protection to achieve results within multi-sector teams.

Duties and Responsibilities

Objective 1: Support the implementation of nutrition in emergencies activities.

•Participate in the design and production of tools appropriate maternal, IYCF-e, WASH and activities promoting behavior change.
•Conduct community dialogue sessions with FNSCs, Care Groups, Men's Fora and CHWs.
•Develop workplan, implement activities and conduct regular technical review meetings for consistency and compliance to agreed standards.
•Actively contribute to the development of different tools needed for proper implementation of the project.
•Produce timely reports for internal use and contribute to donor reports on the status of on-going programming.

Objective 2: Support the implementation of nutrition in emergencies activities.

•Demonstrates strong understanding of facilitating the roll out of the care group approach, IYCF-e, and IMAM activities.
•Serve as the lead nutrition resource person to ensure all project beneficiaries (Children and PLW) in the IMAM programme receive care and
treatment in accordance with MoHCC Guidelines.
•Organize and lead sensitization sessions for District/Ward FNSCs on the care group approach and Support rolling out the care group
approach.
•Support implementation of SBC activities, Community Mobilization and Outreach:
o Lead demand creation and triggering sessions for care groups in partnership with FNSCs and sub-district stakeholders in operational
wards.
o Support district and ward level FNSC members in rolling out the care group approach.
o Monitor community trainings and develop a strategy to improve and maintain quality in the implementation of nutrition activities and
lead the community level recruitment of program participants.
o Support sensitization sessions for district committees and other stakeholders on the care group approach.
o Support regular awareness sessions on MIYCF and community engagements on IMAM services and healthy practices through the Care
group model and Family led MUAC approach
o Organize educational activities and demonstrations on improved feeding, hygiene, and sanitation through the care group approach.
o Lead mobilization of communities to participate in screenings, referrals, and treatment programs.
• Screening and Case Management:
o Lead the strengthening of active screening through the Family led MUAC approach.
o Support community level efforts on identification and classification of malnutrition cases (MAM, SAM) according to IMAM guidelines.
o Strengthen the community level referral mechanism malnourished children and vulnerable pregnant/lactating women to healthcare
facilities for treatment through Care group linkages.
o Support community health cadres to follow up on referred cases and monitor their progress throughout the treatment process.
o Support health care staff and community health workers to organize the implementation of follow-up protocols requiring community
outreach with OTP patients.
o Actively participate in the IMAM data collection, analysis, and compilation of quality reports on program performance.
• Nutrition Counseling and Education:
o Monitor community trainings and develop a strategy to improve and maintain quality in the implementation of nutrition activities and
lead the community level recruitment of program participants.
o Support Care groups to provide individual and group counseling on infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices, dietary diversity,
and healthy food choices through the care group approach.
o Support community volunteers to promote breastfeeding and optimal feeding practices for children 6-23 months.
o Support the education of mothers on proper food preparation, hygiene, and safe water practices.

Objective 3: Collaboration and Capacity Building

• Work closely with healthcare staff and community health workers to support IMAM implementation.
• Participate in training sessions and capacity building workshops to enhance knowledge and skills on IMAM and related topics.
• Collaborate with community leaders and local organizations to promote program ownership and sustainability.
• Facilitate knowledge sharing and peer learning among community members on nutrition and health practices.
• Support health facilities in maintaining accurate records of screenings, referrals, treatments, follow-up data.
• Prepare regular reports on project progress, challenges, and outcomes for project reporting.

Objective 4: Ensure timely routine reporting of the project activities.

• Support health facilities in maintaining accurate records of screening, referrals, treatments, follow-up data.
• Prepare regular reports on project progress, challenges, and outcomes for project reporting.
• Generate activity data, compile statistical data and draft appropriate reports on activities (narrative and quantitative)
• Analyze nutrition situation and prevailing trends and provide constructive written feedback
• Participate during project assessments as may be determined by the organization
• Documentation of best practices for learning purposes and increase project visibility

Qualifications and Experience

•Degree in Nutrition, Public Health.
•Working experience of at least 2 years in Nutrition emergency programming.
•Demonstrated experience in humanitarian and development projects in a rural setting.
•Multi-lingual in any one of the local languages a must (Shona, Ndebele, Venda)

Essential Criteria:

•Understanding of IMAM programming and Care group approach.
•Computer skills knowledge and applications especially Ms Word and Excel
•Experience in planning and organizing activities in a variety of locations.
•Strong organizational, interpersonal, and representational and communications skills are essential, and a team-oriented work style is a necessity.
•Excellent communication skills, strong report writing and computer skills.
•Willingness and capacity to be flexible and ability to operate in emergency settings.

How to Apply

Use the smart recruiter’s platform link below to upload your CV and Application Letter and to input the required information in the data fields on the platform ( https://smrtr.io/hS-T_ )

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